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Triple-A Columbus (33-19) - Host Columbus won the first game of a seven-inning double header against Louisville 1-0. (The second game was not completed in time for this report, with Louisville leading 12-2 in the top of the sixth inning)...The lone run of the game came in the first inning as C Carlos Santana singled home 2B Brian Bixler, who reached on a double...1B Wes Hodges also went 2-for-3...RHP Justin Germano (1-1, 3.71 ERA) earned the complete win, limiting the Bats to just one hit over seven innings while striking out eight.

Double-A Akron (21-29) - Visiting Akron topped Binghamton 7-6...3B Jared Goedert extended his hitting streak to 20 games with a third-inning, two-run home run, his third longball in as many games...DH Lonnie Chishenhall went 2-for-5 with a RBI and C Miguel Perez (2-for-5) and SS Cristo Arnal (2-for-4) also picked up two hits each...LHP Kelvin De La Cruz was rocked for six runs on six hits and four walks in five innings but escaped with a no-decision.

High Class-A Kinston (28-23) - Host Kinston defeated Wilmington 4-1, led by the strong pitching of LHP T.J. McFarland (6-1, 1.78 ERA). McFarland (6-1, 1.78 ERA) nearly missed registering a complete game in tossing 8 2/3 frames in which he held Wilmington to just one run while scattering eight hits and not issuing a walk in the win...RF Lucas Montero went 2-for-4 with a run scored and RBI...SS Karexon Sanchez went 3-for-4 with a double...3B Kyle Bellows also picked up two hits, going 2-for-4 with a double.

Low Class-A Lake County (33-18) - Lake County's game at Great Lakes was postponed due to inclement weather, an unfortunate event considering the Captains led 9-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning when the game was called and the statistics of the afternoon wiped out...Lake County heads home to kick off a six-game home stand beginning Tuesday against Beloit at 7 p.m. at Classic Park.

NEW YORK: Aeros fans will have the opportunity to watch one of the Indians' top prospects develop beginning Tuesday night, when left-hander Nick Hagadone starts against Erie at Canal Park.

Hagadone is being promoted from Kinston, where he was 1-3 with a 2.39 earned-run average in 10 starts. He gave up only 28 hits in 37 2/3 innings, striking out 45 and holding opposing batters to a .206 average. His only negative was issuing 29 walks, an average of 6.9 per nine innings.

Triple-A Columbus (32-19) - Host Columbus topped Lehigh Valley 4-3 in 11 innings, pinch hitter Brian Buscher's line drive single to left field scoring pinch runner Jose Constanza for the walk-off win...DH Jordan Brown went 2-for-4 with a double...LF Nick Weglarz had a double and three walks...C Carlos Santana went 0-for-3 with two walks...Relievers Frank Herrmann, Joe Smith, Jess Todd and Josh Judy each pitched scoreless innings after RHP and starter Yohan Pino gave up three runs on six hits and four walks over six innings in the no-decision.

Double-A Akron (20-29) - Visiting Akron lost 5-2 at Binghamton...3B Jared Goedert extended his hitting streak to 19 games with an eighth-inning home run, his second homer in as many days...LF John Drennen went 0-for-4, as his 12-game hitting streak was snapped...1B Beau Mills drove in the Aeros only other run with a fourth-inning single...LHP Eric Berger limited the B-Mets to two run on seven hits over five innings, but reliever and RHP Bryan Price gave up three runs on three hits in just two innings.

High Class-A Kinston (27-23) - Host Kinston defeated Winston-Salem 5-2, led by the strong pitching of RHP Joe Gardner (3-0, 1.95 ERA). In just his third start for the K-Tribe, Gardner limited Winston-Salem to two runs while scattering seven hits and striking out five over six innings...Closer Cory Burns earned his fourth save...2B Jason Kipnis (1-for-2) and DH Abner Abreu (1-for-4) each drove in two runs a piece.

Low Class-A Lake County (33-18) - Visiting Lake County mustered just four hits and was shut out 6-0 by Great Lakes...RHP Curtis Haley (4-1, 3.65 ERA) took the loss, allowing three runs on five hits and five walks over five innings...LF Bo Greenwell had half of the Captains hits, going 2-for-4.

NEW YORK: After getting an exhaustive number of medical opinions, the Indians determined that Grady Sizemore will undergo surgery in Vail, Colo. some time this week.

""After consultations with several physicans both nationally and internationally, the consortium feels that the best course of action is a knee arthroscopy,'' Tribe head trainer Lonnie Soloff said today. ""It will be this week, but the day has not been scheduled.''

Dr. Richard Steadman will perform the procedure. Steadman pioneered microfracture surgery, but Soloff said the precise nature of the operation won't become known uintil Steadman views the area around Sizemore's left knee through a scope. Originally the injury was described as a deep knee bruise after the center fielder slid back into first in a game against the Orioles in Baltimore on May 16.

NEW YORK: With the bullpen short-handed after working 6 2/3 innings on Saturday, the Indians made a move to call up Jensen Lewis from Columbus and option Aaron Laffey to Triple-A.

Lewis made seven appearances for the Clippers, six of them scoreless, compiling a 1.89 earned-run average in 10 2/3 innings. He began the season with Cleveland and posted a 2-1 record and 2.61 ERA in 10 appearances, a total of 10 1/3 innings.

He was sent back to Columbus so the Tribe could look at Hector Ambriz, who as a Rule 5 acquisition could not be optioned to the minors without being offered back to his original team, the Diamondbacks. That is one reason why Laffey, rather than Ambriz was demoted today.

Laffey has pitched in 20 games, compiling an 0-1 record and a 5.61 ERA in 25 2/3 innings. He ranks eighth among American League relievers in innings pitched.

NEW YORK -- With runners on first and second and one out in the third inning, Alex Rodriguez lined a pitch back toward the mound, striking starter David Huff near the left ear.

Huff fell to the ground and remained motionless while the play continued. Rodriguez's drive bounced into right field, as Nick Swisher scored from second and Mark Teixeira advanced to third. Rodriguez pulled into second with a double.

NEW YORK: Umpire C.B. Bucknor moved behind the plate for today's game with the Yankees.

Theoretically, he can do more damage there than at first base, where Friday night he missed two calls, one of which might have broken Fausto Carmona's concentration and led to a two-run homer by Nick Swisher.

NEW YORK: With the fifth overall selection in the annual amateur draft, the Indians don't want to make any mistakes, and scouting director Brad Grant has personally watched 200 high schoolers and collegians to give the Tribe the best chance of taking an impact player.

This year's draft is alleged to be strong in high school players, specifically right-handed pitchers. That does not mean Grant has targeted a pitcher. Like most teams, the Indians will use their early picks to select the best players available regardless of the team's personnel needs.

Triple-A Columbus (29-18) - LF Nick Weglarz's RBI-single in the bottom of the 11th inning gave host Columbus a 3-2 extra-inning win over Lehigh Valley...Making his Huntington Park debut after being called up from Double-A Akron last week, Weglarz also threw out the go-ahead run at the plate in the top of the 11th inning...RHP Josh Tomlin gave up both of the Iron Pigs runs on four hits over six innings...DH Jordan Brown went 3-for-4 with a run scored.

Double-A Akron (19-28) - Despite committing three errors, the host Aeros avoided a four-game series sweep by Altoona with a 5-2 victory of the Curve in front of a season-high crowd of 8,774 during the morning on Akron's final Education Day....The loss snapped the Eastern League Western Division-leading Curve's eight-game winning streak, but was highlighted by Altoona's rare triple play in the sixth inning...A trio of hitters led the way for the Aeros as CF John Drennen went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored and a RBI to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. Over the streak he is batting .545 (18-for-33)...3B Jerad Goedert also extended his personal hitting streak to 16 consecutive games with a fifth-inning single and C Miguel Perez went 2-for-2 with two RBI.

High Class-A Kinston (23-22) - After going 13-3 over the last two weeks to pull past .500, The K-Tribe enjoyed a scheduled day off...RHP Joe Gardner was named the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week Thursday, following his one-hit, eight-strikeout performance Wednesday...Gardner joined the K-Tribe May 8th from low Class-A Lake County and has gone 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in three starts for Kinston.

Low Class-A Lake County (32-16) - Host Lake County slipped by Dayton 7-6 in 10 innings...After RHP Brett Brach allowed five runs off eight hits over the first five innings, RHP Tyler Sturdevant quieted the Dragons bats with three innings of one-hit relief while striking out five...3B Jeremie Tice went 3-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI...C Chun-Hsiu Chen went 2-for-3 with a double and three walks.

Triple-A Columbus (28-18) - Columbus, which leads the International League West Division by 1.5 games over Toledo, enjoyed a scheduled day off...Through 44 games, C Carlos Santana, the Indians No. 1 prospect, is batting .313 with nine doubles, 10 home runs and 40 RBI. As usual, he has shown a good eye and patience at the plate with 35 walks compared 29 strikeouts.

Double-A Akron (18-28) - Visiting Altoona continued its mastery over the host Aeros this season with a 5-2 victory...Although LHP Kelvin De La Cruz managed to keep the Curve bats in check in allowing just one earned run despite five walks and while striking out seven, Altoona batsmen made their matching nine hits stand up for five runs to win their eighth consecutive game...RF Jerad Head went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, a home run and RBI.

High Class-A Kinston (23-22) - Visiting Kinston cruised to a 7-0 win at Potomac, led by five strong innings by LHP Nick Hagadone, who earned his first win in nearly two seasons...The former Boston Red Sox first-round selection gave up just one hit and three walks while striking out six over five strong innings en route to his first win and just the second of injury-plagued career since April 10, 2008...On the offensive side, RF Lucas Montero (2-for-5), 2B Jason Kipnis (2-for-4) and Abner Abreu (1-for-4) led the K-Tribe's 11-hit attack with two RBI each.

Triple-A Columbus (28-18) - Visiting Columbus rallied for three late runs, but lost 5-3 to Charlotte...RHP Justin Germano (0-1, 6.30 ERA) took the loss in giving up five runs on six hits - including two homers - in just five innings...1B Wes Hodges went 2-for-4 with a home run...C Carlos Santana went 2-for-3 with a home run to raise his batting average to .313...CF Michael Brantley went 2-for-4 with a double.

Double-A Akron (18-27) - Host Akron lost to 5-3 to Altoona...LHP Eric Berger (1-3, 8.51 ERA) gave up all five runs on nine hits in just five innings...3B Jared Goedert celebrated his 25th birthday by extending his Aeros team-high batting streak to 14 games with a second-inning double.

High Class-A Kinston (23-22) - Visiting Kinston was defeated by Potomac 9-4...LHP T.J. McFarland (5-1, 1.91 ERA) suffered his first loss of the season in allowing five runs on seven hits in just five innings...DH Abner Abreu went 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI to lead the K-Tribe's offense.

Double-A Akron (18-26) - Host Akron was drubbed 11-1 by Altoona, eight of those runs coming over the first three innings by Curve LF Alex Presley, who went 4-for-5 with a double and two home runs...All of Presley's runs came off Aeros LHP Scott Barnes, who lasted just 3 1/3 and allowed the most runs by an Aeros starter this season...Three Aeros batters had two hits a piece in DH Matt McBride, SS Carlos Rivero and LF John Drennen.

High Class-A Kinston (23-21) - Visiting Kinston was tied 6-6 with Potomic in 14 innings when this report was completed at 11:47 p.m. Check back tomorrow morning for an update on who won the epic battle and how.

Cuyahoga Falls resident and former Kent State catcher Paul Hoover has spent the last the last two weeks in the Major Leagues serving as the Philadelphia Phillies catcher.

The 34-year-old is playing for his third big league club in his 15th professional season, having previously played in 28 games with the Tampa Bay Rays (2001 and '02) and Florida Marlins (2006, '07, '08).

CLEVELAND: Manny Acta doesn't hesitate to look at all the statistics he can get his hands on, but that doesn't mean the Indians manager blindly makes in-game moves strictly by the numbers.

He is particularly interested in batter/pitcher matchuips, but even they have their limitations.

""Those are the only statistics I take to the dugout,'' Acta said. ""I look at lifetime matchups between individuals, and I look at the matchups for the last three years. I don't really care about the last 10.''

Triple-A Columbus (27-17) - Visiting Columbus was shut out by Charlotte 5-0 on the strength of a dominating performance by Knights pitcher RHP Dan Hudson...Hudson (5-2, 4.47 ERA) scattered three hits and allowed just one walk over eight innings, striking out 11 Clippers along the way...CF Jose Constanza had two of Columbus' three hits and 3B Brian Buscher had the other...Although C Carlos Santana had a rare day off, the Indians top prospect is batting .310 in 42 games with nine doubles, nine homers and 39 RBI.

Double-A Akron (18-25) - RHP Alex White made his Aeros debut a memorable one, matching the longest outing of his career while leading Akron to a 5-2 victory over Harrisburg...White, the Indians No. 1 pick (15th overall) in the 2009 draft our of the University of North Carolina, cruised through six scoreless innings before allowing a pair of home runs in the seventh, ultimately scattering five hits en route to the win...DH Matt McBride went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI...C Miguel Perez went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI.

High Class-A Kinston (23-21) - Visiting Kinston topped Frederick 2-1 in 12 innings...2B Jason Kipnis sparked the rally with two outs, singling to right field, advancing to third on 1B Doug Pickins single and then scoring when 3B Kyle Bellows reached on a fielding error...RHP Cory Burns pitched a hitless bottom of the 12th to preserve the win and earn his second save.

CLEVELAND: Former Tribe skipper Eric Wedge told a reporter from the Buffalo News that he wants to manage again in 2011.

The Indians are paying the final year of Wedge's contract (about $1.3 million), so there was no urgency for him to take just any job this season. There were several rumors that he might go to the Mets as bench coach, and he said he was contacted by several other clubs.

Wedge has decided to sell his house in Richfield and move his family to suburban Buffalo, where he met his wife, Kate, when he managed the Bisons, Cleveland's former Triple-A affiliate. Wedge is living in his winter home in Celebration, Fla., in a house he bought to be close to the Tribe's former spring training venue of Winter Haven.

Triple-A Columbus (27-16) - Visiting Columbus and Charlotte were tied 2-2 in the 12th inning when this report was sent...Starter and RHP Carlos Carrasco limited the Knights to two runs on five hits over the first seven innings.

Double-A Akron (17-25) - The host Aeros edged Harrisburg 4-3 on the strength of 13 hits...RHP Paolo Espino (4-2, 4.05 ERA) earned the win despite giving up all of the Senators three runs in his six-inning outing that included five strikeouts...Relievers Omar Aguilar and Carlton Smith held Harrisburg to just two hits the rest of the way to slam the door...LF John Drennen went 2-for-4 with two RBI...SS Carlos Rivero went 2-for-3 with an RBI...1B Beau Mills went 2-for-3 with a double and RBI.

High Class-A Kinston (22-21) - Visiting Kinston lost 2-1 to Frederick 2-1...LHP T.J. House scattered five hits over five innings and allowed just one run while striking out seven...3B Kyle Bellows (2-for-4) and RF Lucas Montero (2-for-2) were the only K-Tribe batters to notch multiple hits.

The Double-A Aeros roster continues to evolve on a near head-spinning basis, the following moves being made recently:

* Before Saturday's game, OF Nick Weglarz was promoted to Triple-A Columbus while OF Jerad Head re-joined Akron from Columbus. With the Aeros, Weglarz was batting .285 in 37 games with a team-leading seven home runs and 27 RBI.

NOTES: The Indians look to snap a five-game losing streak by sending their young ace RHP Fausto Carmona to the mound...In his first game hitting in the two-hole in the series opener Friday, Tribe RF Shin-Soo Choo went 3-for-4 with two homers and three RBI.

CLEVELAND: The Indians' top pick in the 2009 draft will join the Akron rotation. Right-hander Alex White is scheduled to start Sunday afternoon against Harrisburg at Canal Park after spending the first seven weeks of the season at Kinston, where he was 2-3 with a 2.86 earned-run average in eight starts.

Lonnie Chisenhall, the Tribe's probable heir apparent at third base, was placed on the Aeros' disabled list with soreness of his right shoulder.

Triple-A Columbus (26-16) - Visiting Columbus eked out a close one over Gwinnett 3-2...C Carlos Santana led the way on offense with two RBI and is now hitting .324...In his first game at Columbus, RHP Justin Germano limited the Braves to two runs on three hits over five innings while striking out four.

Double-A Akron (16-24) - The visiting Aeros lost 2-1 at Altoona as the Curve avoided a three-game series sweep...DH Jared Goedert went 2-for-4 with a double and RBI, and is now batting .348 - the second highest average in the Eastern League...RHP Bryce Stowell made his Aeros debut, shutting out the Curve over three innings while scattering four hits...Chen-Chang Lee (1-3, 5.40 ERA) took the loss, allowing two runs on four hits over two innings.

High Class-A Kinston (21-20) - Host Kinston defeated Salem 5-4 with a game-winning walk-off-walk in the bottom of the ninth when C Richard Martinez walked with the bases loaded to score CF Jordan Henry for the win...3B Kyle Bellowes went 2-for-5 with a double, home run and two RBI...LHP T.J. McFarland (5-0, 1.07 ERA) limited the Red Sox to two runs on six hits over six innings while striking out five.

Triple-A Columbus (25-16) - Visiting Columbus pounded Gwinnett 12-9, chasing Braves starter RHP Tim Gustafson after 4 2/3 innings after smacking him around for seven runs on eight hits...However, Clippers RHP Yohan Pino (5-2, 4.93 ERA) also dished up five runs on five hits - including a home run - in just five innings top make it a game...Despite allowing two runs on four hits over the final two innings, RHP Jensen Lewis earned his first save with the Clippers...RF Chris Gimenez (4-for-5 with two runs scored) and 2B Josh Rodriguez (2-for-4 with two runs scored and and a home run) each led the way on offense with three RBI a piece...C Carlos Santana went 2-for-4 with three runs scored.

Double-A Akron (16-23) - The visiting Aeros topped Altoona 3-1...LHP Eric Berger (1-2, 8.38 ERA) earned his first win of the season by limiting the Curve to one run on three hits over five innings...Struggling RHP Connor Graham followed Berger and made his first relief appearance of the season, scattering two hits over two scoreless innings...RHP Zach Putnam, who also recently converted to a reliever, finished the game with two scoreless innings for his second save...DH Matt McBride went 1-for-3 with a home runs, two RBI and a runs scored...3B Jared Goedert also homered to provide the other run, going 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.

More news out of the Strasburg camp Wednesday as he once again dominated on the mound. Now, reports have him headed to the big leagues sooner rather than later. Here is MiLB.com's story:

Stephen Strasburg struck out a career-high nine in the longest outing of his young Minor League career, throwing 6 1/3 scoreless innings for his third win as Syracuse beat Rochester, 5-1, Wednesday night.

Strasburg didn't dominate as he did in his previous hitless effort, but he still worked into the seventh inning for the first time and escaped brief trouble. The hard-throwing right-hander has allowed just four hits over 18 1/3 scoreless Triple-A innings.

In our third installment of ask the farm director, Ross Atkins, the Indians director of player development, answered some of the latest questions about some up-and-coming minor leagues in Cleveland's farm system.

Q) LHP Kelvin De La Cruz had a great start at Kinston, going 2-2 with a 2.91 ERA in six starts, including 28 strikeouts to eight walks after missing last year with an injury. Now, he's been promoted to Double-A Akron. What kind of pitcher do see him becoming as he makes his way to the big leagues and what are his strengths and weaknesses to look for while he's in Akron?

Triple-A Columbus (24-16) - Visiting Columbus lost a close one, 5-4 to Gwinnett...RHP Jeanmar Gomez (2-4, 6.31 ERA) allowed five runs (four earned), including a home run on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings...RHP Frank Hermann continued his scoreless innings streak with 1 1/3 no hit innings in relief...SS Brian Bixler led the offense by going 3-for-5 with an RBI and RF Shelley Duncan was the only other Clippers batter to reach double figures by going 2-for-4...DH Carlos Santana had a rare 0-for-5 night without a walk...Before the game, it was announced that LHP Mike Gosling retired, just a day after he tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings while striking out five to earn the win.

Double-A Akron (15-23) - The visiting Aeros shutout Altoona 2-0, with both runs coming in the sixth inning via 1B Matt McBride two-run home run...LHP Scott Barnes had a no-hitter through 5 1/3 innings before being pulled on a strict pitch count...Barnes is the second Aeros hurler to be taken out of a game without allowing a hit over five innings in three days, as LHP Kelvin De La Cruz no hit Reading through five innings Saturday before giving way to the bullpen.

NOTES: Indians rookie SS Jason Donald has joined the team in the place of injured SS Asdrubal Cabrera (fractured forearm) and will make his major league debut as the ninth hitter in the Indians lineup...CF Trevor Crowe will take over at the lead off spot and continue to play the outfield for injured Grady Sizemore (left knee contusion).

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.: The news was not encouraging for Asdrubal Cabrera, who fractured a bone in his forearm in a collision with Jhonny Peralta as both made a dash for a ground ball against the Rays Monday night at Tropicana Field.

Cabrera will visit a doctor in Baltimore Wednesday. "There's a high probability that he'll have surgery,'' manager Manny Acta said this morning.

Triple-A Columbus (24-15) - Host Columbus topped Durham 5-1, led by C Carlos Santana's fifth-inning grand slam. Santana, the Indians No. 1 prospect, went 2-for-2 with two home runs, five RBI and two runs scored...LHP and starter Mike Gosling (3-0, 2.96 ERA) tossed six 6 1/3 scoreless innings while striking out five to earn the win...Not long after Indians SS Asdrubal Cabrera fractured his left arm early in the Tribe's game at Tampa Bay, Columbus SS Jason Donald was pulled from the game. Odds are he's headed to Florida for Tuesday's 1:10 p.m. series finale.

Double-A Aeros (14-23) - The Aeros enjoyed a rainy but scheduled day off Monday...The team hits the road Tuesday for a quick, three-game series at rival Altoona...RHP Josh Judy's stay in Akron didn't last long as the reliever was promoted to Triple-A Columbus Monday after just two appearances with the Aeros since joining them last week from extended spring training...Last year with the Aeros, Judy went 4-3 with a 3.10 ERA and 11 saves in 36 appearances.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.: Russell Branyan has rediscovered his power stroke, hitting four home runs in the first six games of the Indians' eight-game trip. But it's uncertain how this will impact his playing time.

When he was signed early in spring training, manager Manny Acta said that Branyan ""would get most of the at-bats at first base.''

But it soon became apparent that Branyan's herniated disc would prevent him from enduring normal spring training activities and force him to begin the season late. He did not join the club until April 20, and even now does not feel he has fully caught up with everyone else.

Nevertheless, Branyan wants to play every game, even though he knows that is unlikely.

NOTES: With CF Grady Sizemore sidelined with a left knee contusion, young OF Trevor Crowe's stay with the Tribe will be prolonged. Crowe was initially called up over the weekend when INF Andy Marte was sidelined. Now, Crowe will stay for a little longer with the plus of playing his natural position in centerfield (although he can play all three)...Did you know that no American League team has more success (65-31) against the Rays than the Indians?...LHP Tony Sipp has not allowed an earned run over his last 11 innings of work. He has not allowed any of his 12 inherited runners to score. His .160 average against ranks sixth among all AL relievers.

Triple-A Columbus (23-15) - Host Columbus shut out Durham 5-0 on the strength of RHP Josh Tomlin (4-1, 2.59 ERA) tossing six shutout innings for the win. Tomlin scattered eight hits and walked just one in earning his fourth win of the season...The Clippers bullpen made Tomlin's effort stand, with RHP's Joe Smith, Frank Herrmann and Jensen Lewis combining for three scoreless frames...DH Carlos Santana went 1-for-1 with a home run, two walks and three RBI...1B Wes Hodges also homered.

Double-A Aeros (14-23) - Host Akron dropped rallied from behind with runs in the fifth and sixth innings to avoid a shutout, but the late offense wasn't enough as the Aeros fell 3-2 to Reading...RHP Paolo Espino allowed all three Phillies runs on seven hits in his 4 2/3 innings of work...RHP's Chen-Chang Lee and Carlton Smith held Reading to just one hit the rest of the way while striking out six...DH Jerad Goedert went 2-for-4 with two doubles...SS Carlos Rivero went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

BALTIMORE: Over the last nine games, Travis Hafner has quietly become a consistent contributor to the offense again.

During this span, Hafner is batting .414 (12-for-29) with an on-base percentage of .564. What has been missing are the power numbers that Indians fans became accustomed to seeing next to his name. Hafner has only three homers and 10 RBI for the season heading into today's game against the Orioles. But he had one home run washed out during the May 7 rainout against the Tigers.

""Hafner is doing what he does when he's going good,'' manager Manny Acta said. ""He's hitting with two strikes. It's easy to identify when he's going good.

Triple-A Columbus (22-15) - Host Columbus lost 7-3 to Durham, with the Bulls jumping on Clippers starter and RHP Carlos Carrasco (2-2, 4.08 ERA) for five runs on five hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings...3B Brian Busher went 2-for-4 with an RBI...Jerad Head went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI...Indians No. 1 prospect, C Carlos Santana, was hitless in four at-bats

Double-A Aeros (14-22) - Host Akron's LHP Kelvin De La Cruz (1-1, 1.64 ERA)tossed five hitless innings before being pulled after 87 pitches on a strict pitch count a season after an arm injury, but still combined with relievers Bryan Price and Zach Putnam for a two-hit 5-0 shutout of Reading...CF Tim Fedroff went 2-for-5 with a three-run triple.

BALTIMORE: Trevor Crowe was called up from Columbus late Friday night and installed in tonight's lineup against the Orioles at Camden Yards.

The reason for the roster move: Andy Marte has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a non-baseball related injury. So far, that's all Tribe officials are saying about it, citing the HIPPA privacy law. Marte is not expected to be out for long. Manager Manny Acta said he probably will regain full health in seven to 10 days.

Crowe took the place of slumping Grady Sizemore as the Indians' center fielder in the second of the three-game set against Baltimore. He is not taking Sizemore's No. 2 spot in the lineup. Instead, he will bat ninth. Mark Grudzielanek will hit behind leadoff batter Asdrubal Cabr forera.

NOTES: For the just second time in his career, Orioles RHP Jeremy Guthrie will face the team that drafted in the first round and then developed him in the Indians...Indians RHP and starter Justin Masterson is looking to halt a personal nine-game losing streak - spanning 13 games and dating back to last year....Masterson leads the American League with a 10.74/9 strikeout-to-inning ratio...Tribe DH Travis Hafner has reached base safely in 17 of his last 31 at-bats. Over his last seven games he is 9-for-23 (.391) with a homer and three RBI.

Going into tonight's game with the Orioles, he is batting .215 and has yet to hit a home run. He actually hit one ball over the fence, but it happened in the May 7 rainout against the Tigers, which has to be replayed in its entirety. Because the game did not go five innings, it was never official and the statistics don't count.

Triple-A Columbus (22-13) - Visiting Columbus lost 7-3 at Scranton Wilkes-Barre...The Yankees jumped on Clippers starter and RHP Jeanmar Gomez for seven runs on eight hits and four walks in just 2 2/3 innings...CF Michael Brantley went 2-for-4 with a double and RBI...C Carlos Santana went 1-for-4 with a home run, RBI and run scored.

Double-A Aeros (13-20) - Akron's game with visiting Reading was postponed due to unplayable field conditions. It is scheduled to be made up Friday night as part of a double header beginning at 6:05 p.m.

When he has it going, ground ball outs are plentiful. But Westbrook has a more varied repertoire this year. He has even dropped his arm down at times in a modified sidearm delivery.

""I try to mix it up as much as possible,'' he said. ""Maybe I don't have as much confidence in it (sinker), as far as location. The pitch is good when you get it down, but I don't know many guys who are effective with it if it's up in the strike zone.''

Triple-A Columbus (22-12) - Visiting Columbus split a pair of games at Scranton Wilkes-Barre, winning the first seven-inning game 4-3 before losing 5-3 in the second games...In Game One, the Clippers greeted Scranton starter and RHP Dustin Moseley with three runs in the first inning and never looked back...LF Michael Brantley went 3-for-4 with two runs scored...C Carlos Santana went 1-for-2 with two walks and a run scored...Clippers RHP Hector Rondon gave up two runs on four hits in three innings...In the second game, Scranton returned the favor against Clippers LHP Jeremy Sowers, scoring three first-inning runs then going on to tag Sowers for five runs on eight hits in just three innings to hand him the loss...Santana went 1-for4 with a double and three RBI.

Double-A Aeros (13-20) - The visiting Aeros split a pair of games at Erie, dropping the first game 5-2 while rebounding to win the second 7-2...In Game One, Aeros LHP Scott Barnes (0-4, 7.20 ERA) took the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits in four innings of work...C Miguel Perez went 2-for-3...2B Cord Phelps went 1-for-2 with a double and RBI...In the second game, the Aeros posted a three-run third and four-run sixth en route to a five-run victory over the host SeaWolves...LF Nick Weglarz went 1-for-4 with a home run, a run scored and two RBI...RF Matt McBride went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored...C Damaso Espino went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.: What is it called when one team has more runs than its opponent three times in a row? A winning streak, of course.

In 2010, Northeast Ohio baseball fans haven't had much reason to become familiar with that term. But Wednesday night through rain, lightning and thunder, the Indians defeated the Royals 4-0 for their third victory in succession.

Q) What can you tell us about young right-handed pitcher Joe Gardner, who was promoted to high Class-A Kinston this week after a successful month and a half at low Class-A Lake County? At 6-4, 220, he's a big kid. How hard does he throw and what are his pitching strengths ?

KANSAS CITY, Mo.: What's new in Kansas City? Certainly not the way the Royals are playing.

The Indians can relate to that. Last year, they tied KC for last place in the Central Division, and the combatants are battling for the cellar again, as they begin a three-game series tonight at Kauffman Stadium.

Northeast Ohio fans know what's wrong with their team. As it turns out, the Royals are having some of the same problems.

Triple-A Columbus (21-11) - Visiting Columbus defeated Scranton/Wilkes Barre 6-2, led by the strong pitching of the Clippers hurlers... RHP Josh Tomlin (3-1, 3.20 ERA) earned the win after scattered seven hits over five innings while limiting Iron Pigs to two runs...RHP Frank Hermann followed with two innings of hitless relief and RHP Jess Todd closed out the game with two innings of two-hit relief...1B Wes Hodges led the way on offense by going 3-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored, a home run and three RBI...DH Shelley Duncan went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, a double and RBI...C Carlos Santana went 2-for-5 with a run scored, double and RBI.

Double-A Aeros (12-19) - The visiting Aeros could only manage to push one run across via a seventh inning RBI-double by 3B Jared Goedert, losing to Erie 4-1...The only batter to record multiple hits was 1B Beau Mills, who went 2-for-4...The tough-luck loser on the night was LHP and newcomer Kelvin De La Cruz, who deserved better in his Double-A debut. De La Cruz, who joined the Aeros from high Class-A Kinston, limited the SeaWolves to two runs on five hits, striking out seven over six strong innings.

Triple-A Columbus (20-11) - Visiting Columbus needed extra innings, but went on to top host Lehigh Valley 4-3 in 10 innings after DH Shelley Duncan doubled then scored on 3B Jared Head's fielder's choice in which he scrambled to beat the throw for what otherwise would have been an inning-ending double play...Duncan was 2-for-5 with two runs scored...2B Jason Donald continues to knock the parent-club Indians door for a shot at the majors with three hits in five at-bats that included a triple and run scored...C and the Indians top prospect C Carlos Santana had one hit.

Double-A Aeros (12-18) - The visiting Aeros managed just three hits and fell 5-2 at Reading...RF John Drennen, 2B Cord Phelps and C Damaso Espino were the only Akron batters to garner hits...However, it was CF Tim Fedroff and 1B Beau Mills who each drove in a run...RHP Zach Putnam limited the Phillies to just one run while scattering eight hits over five innings but did not figure into the decision...RHP Neil Wagner allowed four runs (two earned) in the ninth for the blown save and loss which was aided by a passed ball and outfield error.

CLEVELAND: Mercifully for Luis Valbuena, Asdrubal Cabrera returned to the lineup today after missing four games with a strained quad. Valbuena had taken over for Cabrera at shortstop, made four errors in three games and looked totally uncomfortable at the position. The question is why? He played 28 games at short last year and looked like he belonged at the position, even though he was charged with five errors. Instead of sending Valbuena back into the fray at second, his usual position, manager Manny Acta gave him a day to catch his breath, while Mark Grudzielanek took over at second. Valbuena might have struggled with a change of positions, because he has not been able to shake a season-long slump at the plate. His .167 batting average is putting his roster spot in jeoparady, even though Tribe officials insist that no moves are imminent. Maybe not, but as the club approaches the 40-game mark -- when evaluations are frequently made -- Valbuena's continued employment in the big leagues becomes more tenuous. He is not the only young middle infielder in the organization with credentials as a prospect. Jason Donald, acquired from Philadelphia in the Cliff Lee trade, has playing a solid second base at Columbus. In 29 games -- 23 at second, six at short -- he has committed only one error and is batting .294. He has 12 extra-base hits among his total (37.5 percent) and owns a .412 on-base percentage. Donald also has stolen seven bases in nine attempts.

What this adds up to is Valbuana being in a precarious position unless his bat comes alive quickly.

Triple-A Columbus (19-10) - Visiting Columbus doubled up Lehigh Valley 6-3, led by LF Trevor Crowe going 3-for-5 with a double, triple and two RBI...1B Wes Hodges went 3-for-4...LHP Jeremy Sowers earned the win - but in relief - pitching two hitless innings. In three appearance since joining the Clippers from extended spring training, Sowers has allowed just one hit over five innings.

Double-A Aeros (11-17) - The visiting Aeros banged out 13 hits in a 12-7 shelling of host Reading...DH Nick Weglarz led the way on offense, going 2-for-6 with a double, homer and six RBI...CF Tim Fedroff went 4-for-5 with three runs scored...LF John Drennen had just one hit, but it was a two-run home run...RHP Paolo Espino (2-1, 4.06 ERA) limited Reading to two runs on three hits over five innings to earn the win.

Triple-A Columbus (18-10) - Visiting Columbus doubled up Lehigh Valley 10-5 with the aid of a five-run sixth inning...RHP Hector Rondon (1-3, 8.79 ERA) earned his first win of the season despite giving up all five of the Iron Pigs' runs on nine hits. However, he did not issue a walk and struck out eight...RHP's Frank Hermann and Saul Rivera combined for three innings of scoreless relief...C Carlos Santana went 2-for-3 with a double, run scored and RBI...DH Shelley Duncan also had two with a double and three RBI... SS Anderson Hernandez notched three RBI.

Double-A Aeros (10-17) - The host Aeros saw their modest two-game winning streak snapped in a 6-3 loss to Trenton when the Aeros bullpen gave up three runs in the seventh inning...Despite having one of his best outings of the season in holding the Thunder to two runs over 5 1/3 innings while striking out eight, LHP Scott Barnes was left with a no-decision...1B Matt McBride went 2-for-4 with two doubles.

Triple-A Columbus (17-10) - Columbus was off...The Clippers lead the International League in batting with a .294 team batting average. CF Jose Constanza leads the Clippers with a .381 batting average over 22 games...1B/OF Shelley Duncan owns a team-leading 27 RBI...C Carlos Santana is batting .300 with five doubles, five home runs and 22 RBI in 25 games...RHP Carlos Carasco is 2-1 with a 3.49 ERA in five starts and has struck out 25 batters in 28 1/3 innings.

Double-A Aeros (10-16) - The host Aeros own a two-game winning streak after topping Trenton 5-2...LHP Ryan Edell (1-1, 6.85 ERA) scattered six hits over six innings and limited the Thunder to two runs...2B Cord Phelps, who leads the Eastern League with a .395 batting average, continued to swing a hot bat. Phelps went 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBI...1B Beau Mills posted another two-hit performance, going 2-for-4 with a double.

CLEVELAND: There are times when a .250 batting average looks pretty good. For example, if belongs to one of the current roster of Indians, who woke up this morning with a team batting average of .242.

Travis Hafrner is batting .250 with two RBI for the past five games. That's nothing to brag about, but maybe it's an indication that he is coming out of his slump.

Manager Manny Acta has penciled Hafner's name in three different spots in the lineup, installing him in the fourth, fifth or sixth positions. Today he is fifth, but Tuesday night, he batted sixth for the second time this season. That seemed to raise some eyebrows among the media.

""I try to match guys up the best possible way to get the best lineup,'' Acta said. ""Nobody is being punished when he's dropped down.''

Triple-A Columbus (17-10) - Host Columbus topped Syracuse 7-5, led by DH Shelley Duncan, who went 4-for-4 with a double, two home runs and five RBI...RHP Joe Smith pitched two hitless innings in relief, striking out three.

Double-A Aeros (9-16) - The host Aeros halted a season-high six-game losing streak with an 8-5 win over Trenton...1B Beau Mills led the way offensively, going 2-for-4 with a three-run double and four RBI...3B Jared Goedert went 2-for-5 with two RBI...RHP Justin Germano earned the win with two hitless innings of relief.

CLEVELAND: In the wake of a slump that saw the Indians go hitless for more than six innings against near-rookie starter Brett Cecil Monday night, Manny Acta was asked what he would like starter Jake Westbrook focus on tonight against the Blue Jays.

""About seven innings, three hits and one run,'' the manager said. ""That would be a good focus.''

Acta was being less than serious, but his wish list might be necessary to give the Tribe a win after 10 losses in the past 14 games.

""Eighteen or more outs will give us an opportunity to score some runs,'' Acta said of his hopes for Westbrook. ""We don't want to be playing catch-up baseball again.''

While this note isn't necessarily Indians related, it ought to be of interest to most baseball fans:

Stephen Strasburg, the No. 1 pick in last summer's draft, has passed his first professional test. After a month at Double-A Harrisburg, the Washington Nationals promoted the right-handed pitcher to Triple-A Syracuse of the International League.

In his pro stint, Strasburg went 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA in five starts with the Double-A Senators. He owned 27 strikeouts compared to just six walks in 22 innings pitched and posted a 4.5/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 11.05 strikeouts per 9.0 innings - both tops in Eastern League.

The 21-year old also ranks among the Eastern League’s top pitchers in these categories: 27 strikeouts (first), 0.86 WHIP (second), 8.18 baserunners per 9.0 innings (second), .165 batting average against (third) and 1.64 ERA (fourth).

Kerry Wood's rehab appearance was nothing more than a sideshow Monday.

In a rarity when a major leaguer comes to Canal Park, the Indians closer was overshadowed by the game itself, which featured a combined 31 runs on 34 hits as host Akron was outslugged by Trenton 21-11.

Luis Valbuena is batting .182 with two home runs, seven RBI and a .308 on-base percentage, pathetic numbers for an everyday player, even a middle infielder. Valbuena has upheld his end of the bargain as a defensive second baseman, but how long will he have a job if his hitting doesn't improve?

""He's struggling offensively,'' manager Manny Acta said this afternoon. ""He's had a couple of key hits, and he's played well defensively. We will continue to give him a chance. But it's up to him whether he takes advantage of the opportunity.''

So for now, Valbuena will be the regular at second base, but Acta made it clear that the second-year infielder cannot remain a viable everyday player indefinitely unless he generates more offense. As a rookie last year, he was called up from Triple-A on May 2 and started slowly. But from July 1 through the end of the schedule he batted .281 with six homers and 21 RBI in 65 games.

Ross Atkins, the Indians director of player development, has graciously agreed via email to answer some of our burning questions about Tribe minor leaguers this season on a weekly basis.

I've supplied the first group of questions this week. As always, feel free to email me with your own. While this forum is directed toward questions for Atkins, I can also answer some separetly in my mailbag as well so that we get to everybody on a timely basis.

Triple-A Columbus (16-9) - Host Columbus topped Syracuse 6-3, scoring five runs in the first two innings to get a head start...Clippers RHP Yohan Pino (4-0, 3.68 ERA) earned the win in limiting the SkyChiefs to three runs on seven hits...2B Jason Donald led the way offensively, going 2-for-3 with a triple, two runs scored and two RBI...C Carlos Santana went 2-for-4 with a double and run scored.

Double-A Aero (8-15) - The Aeros lost their fifth consecutive game, falling 6-1 as visiting Binghamton swept the Aeros in the three-game series...The Aeros lone run in the fifth inning came courtesy of CF Tim Fedroff's solo home run...LF Nick Weglarz went 2-for-3 with two walks and 2B Cord Phelps went 1-for-2 also with a pair of walks.

CLEVELAND: It appears that Kerry Wood will head to Akron for a brief rehabilitation assignment some time this week.

""He threw a bullpen yesterday and felt great,'' manager Manny Acta said this afternoon. ""Some time today, we'll put together a plan for a rehab assignment, and he could go next week. It looks like it could be Akron.''

Acta said that Wood would need to make more than one appearance before he is activated from the disabled list. But two outings might be sufficient.

Wood has been on the DL since spring trasining with a strained lat muscle. In his absence, Chris Perez has been the Tribe's closer.

NOTES: * The Indians traded minor league infielder Niuman Romero Saturday to the Boston Red Sox for cash considerations. Romero, a switch-hitting native of Venezuela, signed with the Tribe as a free agent in 2003. He made his Major League debut last season, batting .143 in 10 games with the Indians.